3 new Scrum Retrospective Ideas for any team

As an introduction to this text on 3 varied Scrum retrospective methods, this quote by Matthias, one, fits perfectly Scrum Master of Eucon GmbH from Münster:

“As a Scrum Master, it is often difficult to make retrospectives varied and exciting. Usually this is only possible with some preparation time, which is not always available.” — Matthias Adames, Scrum Master, Eucon GmbH

For me as a Scrum Master and Psychologist, the variety in retrospectives is important. For this reason you will find 3 unusual retrospective methods here that will undoubtedly give you some variety with a bit of storytelling and team willingness: The Flitzebogen Retro, Sherlock Holmes Retro (for fans of the genre) and the Rocket Retro!

Scrum Retrospective Method 1: Retro Bow

The retrospective method consists of a total of 3 questions, which you can of course also modify or shorten. In principle, it works according to the generally known scheme. Let’s start with the positive:

1. What are our arrows with which we defeat resistance? So how have we as a team been particularly good at getting difficulties out of the way recently?For example, we noticed that our dailies were extremely important in the last sprint. Information was exchanged there that was central to the success of the sprint. So we should definitely keep Dailys like this!
2. The concentration and balanced psyche of the archer are central to a bullseye. What efforts, worries and difficulties disturb our inner balance as a team?For example, we may have noticed that a higher-level manager twice subtracted a developer from the actual task of the sprint. Although appropriate communication should always run through the Scrum Master. As an action item, it is a good idea to start a conversation with the manager.
3. The wind is difficult to predict. It could keep us from landing a bullseye. What (air) resistance do we need to anticipate and take into account?It is becoming apparent that a team member will soon be on maternity leave. Could we organize a replacement now if necessary? Maybe we can get the trainees into the team already now. If we can do that, it’s against of the trainees also a nice signal of appreciation.

Of course you can play the metaphor even further here and ask, for example, which tendon the team accelerates. Or you call the whole thing “Robin Hood Retro” and take the beloved one with you into the set of questions that gives the team strength (who knows how the team will respond).

If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:

And there we are with a second unusual Scrum retrospective method.

Scrum Retrospective Method 2: Sherlock Holmes Retro

For movie fans and especially creative hours, you can also do the Sherlock Holmes Retro. Possibly. some also know the Harry Potter Retro. It depends on the taste.
In any case, the retrospective method helps to bring up topics in an entertaining way and invites you to think outside the box (speaking of lateral thinking: Here is an extra workshop ).

1. What stones did the evil Mr. Moriarty put in our way?
2. What support did we get from our venerable friends Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade - so how did we as a team face these obstacles and what did we achieve independently?
3. What support would we like to see in the future from Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade - from us as team members to each other? 
4. As Sherlock Holmes, we naturally anticipate other underhanded plans from evil Mr. Moriarty. What difficulties could that be in the next few weeks? And how are we going to meet them?

If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:

Depending on the team, you can of course leave out a question. The last question, for example, focuses on the future and uses techniques of Pre mortem method - that could be time-consuming in a classic retro. So let’s move on to the third Scrum Retrospective method, which is a little less time-consuming.

Scrum Retrospective Method 3: Rocket Retro

Similar to the racing car metaphor, this is about acceleration and velocity. This time we want to reach the sky and reach for the stars!

The questions can be asked in the past or in the future, for example for planning a project. This time I have put it in relation to the future:

1. What is the fuel that will shoot us into space as a team?
2. What is gravity or what are challenges that could constantly pull us down?
3. The air seems harmless, but the winds at high altitudes are treacherous. What - perhaps difficult to see - resistances could arise on our way to the sky? How can we face them?

As always, the retro should end with positive thoughts. In this respect, feel free to change the order of the questions or to add to the questions.

If you like this retro format and questions, you can open them directly in our team development tool Echometer:

Bonus - Scrum Retrospective Method 4: Echometer

Another way to design retrospectives is, of course, to use what is there - Retro Tools! In particular, I would like to mention Echometer here, in whose development I myself participated. 

It combines insights from psychology with agile best practices to get the best out of team health checks & fun retrospectives - to help to grow your team. 

We also have a catalog of different retrospective methods - and it can be used both online remote and offline.

The basic version is free. If you just want to try it out - right here or start for free. 

If you would like to explore all the possible retrospective ideas in our tool, you can simply do so following the button:

More Scrum retrospective methods

There is many Scrum retrospective methods. I hope, however, that these four are new to you. And you can find three more retrospective Scrum ideas in this blog article - Hearsay, the team acronym and the conflict compass !

If you are searching for fun retrospective ideas, check out our post on 54 Kickass Retrospective Ideas for Agile Teams (including the Mario Kart Retro & the Team Morale Health Check).

By the way, one of the best methods of sustainably developing the agile mindset of team members is to implement an agile health check. Our free team health check kit can help you ask the right questions - just click through.